Java SE 7u15 is the latest release by Oracle, OS X is still with Java SE 6?
*All* software contains vulnerabilities (that includes both OS X and iOS) and it's just a matter of patching them early.
Java technologies are used everywhere (eg, twitter runs Scala which runs on the JVM, Android runs darvik JVM, eBay and Amazon both use Java Servlets) so Oracle just have to be on the ball with updates. As for the browser plug-in, I only use it rarely, maybe that's...

I still use XP Pro, it's still updated and can sign on to active directory domains, I was surprised to learn here how many people still use it, but considering it meets most people's needs especially in the managed corporate-setting, why change something that's already paid for and is managed properly? (I don't agree with MSFT removing steady state for XP from the downloads section however, despite still being useful). Many companies also find their considerable...

That's an idea. Maybe Apple's version of Xerox PARC or something. Jef Raskin (RIP as well) would like that.
Apple can continue without Steve obviously, but it is just not going to be the same. Steve was a visionary, charismatic leader. He WAS Apple.